Residents can help support the arrival of Syrian refugees

Residents can now donate items to support the arrival of five families of Syrian refugees.

Earlier this year, the city council agreed to resettle around 100 Syrian refugees in Peterborough over the next five years. The refugees will arrive as part of the government’s Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme.

In total, 23 refugees will arrive in the autumn, made up of ten adults and 13 children of various ages.

The council has been contacted by a number of residents offering their help and realises that many other people may want to support the families from Syria, as well as other families in need in the city.

A donation list is available detailing items needed to furnish the houses for the families. Residents can also make a financial donation to help purchase items required.

A number of charities will be supporting the donation drive through the Peterborough Community Assistance Scheme including CareZone, Children of Adam, KingsGate Community Church, PCVS and Rainbow Saver Credit Union.

The Peterborough Community Assistance Scheme currently helps around 350 city families each month. Any extra items, or financial support, will be distributed to other Peterborough families in need through this initiative.

Councillor John Holdich, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “The families being resettled in the coming months will all have been living in refugee camps close to the Syrian border after having to flee their homes for their own safety. We know that many residents want to welcome these five families to the city and we hope they are able to donate what they can.

“We agreed to resettle the families after receiving assurances from the government that they would provide funding to cover all the health, social and educational costs for all individual refugees. This is in addition to them being able to access benefits, such as housing benefit.

“We believe this is the right balance to be able to help those in need without putting significant extra pressure on services in the city."

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities and environment capital, said: “This is an unprecedented human crisis. The city has a long and proud history ?of welcoming those that need our help and I am confident this will continue. We are working hand in hand with a number of city charities as we prepare for their arrival. It’s been an impressive community effort.”

If you would like to make a financial donation this can be made to Rainbow Saver Anglia Credit Union Ltd by bank transfer, cash or cheque.